The Melbourne Rebels have defeated the 13-men Fijian Drua 41-20 in Melbourne after a cray second half.
The Drua collapsed after two red cards to Frank Lomani and Jone Koroiduadua in the last 30 minutes of the game.
Lomani elbowed Josh Canham in the head whilst Koroiduadua headbutted Alex Mafi after a scrum.
It came as a result of a frustrating second half for the Drua that saw the Rebels come back from 20-8 down to score 33 unanswered points.
This included tries either side of the break before the two infringements sealed the Drua’s fate.
Glen Vaihu scored a double as the Rebels inch themselves into the top four.
The Rebels trailed 20-15 at halftime at AAMI Park on Friday night, but with star five-eighth Carter Gordon calling the shots they scored two tries in the space of four minutes to swing the momentum their way.
Looking to peg back the five-point halftime deficit, winger Vaihu collected a long cut-out pass from Gordon to cross before flanker Maciu Nabolakasi came up trumps after a rolling maul.
Vaihu added his second after 53 minutes to push the lead out to 34-20.
When the Drua lost former Rebels halfback Lomani for a deliberate foul when he elbowed the head of lock Canham soon after, the visitors’ fate appeared sealed.
Melbourne went hunting a bonus point and with Gordon putting on some big hits in defence and a huge shift by star prop Taniela Tupou off the bench, the Rebels extended their lead.
Gordon fired a pass out to Filipo Daugunu, who had moved out from the centres to the wing, and he slipped – which wrong-footed the defence – before scooting down the sideline to touch down.
The Fijians, who had won their last two matches, grew frustrated and Jone Koroiduadua joined Lomani on the bench when he was red-carded after attempting to head-butt Rebels hooker Alex Mafi.
Melbourne face the Highlanders next Saturday night at AAMI Park, looking for their third win on the trot.
Tries: Lomani, Vota, Rotuisolia
Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 1/3
Pens: Armstrong-Ravula 1/2
Tries: Smith, Uelese, Vaihu 2, Nabolakasi, Daugunu
Cons: C. Gordon 4/6
Pens: C. Gordon 1/1
REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai (c), Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu, Darby Lancaster, Nick Jooste
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Daniel Maiava, Vaiolini Ekuasi, James Tuttle, Matt Proctor, Mason Gordon
DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Jone Koroiduadua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Waqa Nalaga, Taniela Rakuro
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant Referees: Graham Cooper, Jeremy Markey
